Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences recently received a $1,000 grant to use towards their school gardens and nature trail.

The grant, provided by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, aims to foster conservation education and stewardship among the youth and community, with a focus on soil and water. 

This year, the organization gave six schools the grant to support their initiatives, with help from individual donors, businesses and community support through the Friends of RSWCD. 

“The RSWCD has supported the environmental and natural resource conservation activities at Dutch Fork Elementary School for many years through their grant program,” Resident Scientist Matt Schnabel said in the press release. “Many of our projects, including the multiple gardens, are possible because of their support. Our shared vision to create an environmentally-literate community is something I hope to continue growing for many years to come.” 

Dutch Fork Elementary School plans to use the grant to install two drip irrigation systems on timers in hopes of reducing the amount of time spent watering. It will also replace the broken and aged equipment students have been using.

The school’s nature trail will also benefit from the grant by purchasing a trimmer to create a safe trail for outdoor instruction.

The press release said teachers and students work in the gardens on the school campus, along with the Green Steps Schools mentors who help with projects. Additionally, family members will have the opportunity to visit the gardens and nature trail during school events.

The school has been a part of the Green Steps Program for 11 years, which encourages schools to take steps to establish and maintain model-quality sustainability projects. 

In May 2025, the school earned recertification as a Green Step School, which is attained when schools receive two or more awards in each category: conserve, protect and restore.

 The school is also one of three schools statewide to earn all four awards for Conserve (2011), Protect (2021), Restore (2017) and Overall School of the Year in 2018.